(Mary Alice Yeates with Papa Howse and MaMa Ruth Howse Yeates)
An Ode From the Father To His Children Celebrating The Seventy-Seventh Birthday Many have been the years of this life In times of peace - through scenes of strife, The pilgrimage along life's checkered way. But the passing of all these years, With their joys and with their cares, Only ripen for a finer and better day. The "three score years and ten" Is man's allotted time 'til when He, by good fortune may attain much more, Will find the changing scenes along the way To be tingeing with the aging gray, Rounding into the promised "four score." But with no uncertain tread He may keep forging ahead, With the same firm step and steady nerve. For the value of the live we all may live Is in what we do and how we give Of our best to the Lord whom we serve. The flowers that so richly bloom In the children that brighten the home Fix family life on the firm foundation. These are God's gifts of his gracious love In kindred unity with His home above, For which this life is the preparation. The home thus so richly blessed Becomes truly a haven of rest At the close of many a toilsome day, And many have found it so. But as the years go swiftly by, These fledglings soon learn to fly. So out of the old home they go. And build their own love nest, Into which they put their own very best, And thus bless the world around them. So, the right reveals its genuine worth In their children, who from their birth Are blest with such life that has found them. And so may life for each of you Place rich gifts within reach of you That when you find your years multiplying There may be serene quiet for you at eventide. Because you possess worthwhile things that abide - His mercy, love, and grace always satisfying. And now this, my final word, Always remain true to Christ, your Lord, Whatever you do, give Him first place So that when you come to the end of your way You may be inducted into the eternal day, And with joy behold your Saviour face to face. Your devoted Father, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather, W. L. Howse, Sr. Jacksonville, Florida March 28, 1946
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